Coffee Reviews
Updated April, 2008
I'm far from an expert on coffee but I like to drink it. My preferred style is higher acid, medium body with hints of chocolate, citrus and spices. I'm trying to learn about coffee by buying coffee from different regions and roasts and roasting companies. I'm always trying new roasts and roasteries. Here are some companies that I've had coffee from my opinions. Updated April, 2008
– Joanne
Note: I always use a Bodum French Press and the Kitchen-Aid ProLine Grinder. I never buy coffee pre-ground. I drink my coffee with cream and no sugar.
Equator Estate Coffees & Teas (who roast coffee for all of Thomas Keller's restaurants in Napa Valley). Bouchon Bakery - Bouchon House Blend (A blend of Sumatra Golden Pawani) While it says it's a Viennese Deep Roast - it's a bit lighter but still darker than I'm used to with almost dry beans and a good balance. Notes of dark chocolate made me seek it out again and I'm on my second pound. Highly Recommended. (Note: March, 2008 - I had erroneously attributed the Bouchon Bakery Coffee to the Napa Valley Roasting company in a previous update.)
Dallis Coffee in Queens, NY (who do custom roasting for high end restaurants like Gramercy Tavern). Blue Hill Special Roast - Blue Hill Blend. I puchased a pound of this Certifed Organic coffee
at Blue Hill Stone Barns in New York. 100% Arabica coffee. It was good. Nutty with good acids. I wouldn't seek it out but I would buy it again.
Electric City Roasting CompanyBlue Moose
A not-too-dark blend which had good balance. I've made a note for this coffee as a buy again if I happen upon it. Good!
Narsai's Premium Blend Coffee - Definitely a good restaurant coffee, it's pleasant and unassuming. Made from Arabica, it's not unusual I would like it. A little darker than I would choose but a nice surprise. I wouldn't seek it out but I would try it again. Good.
New Mexico Pinon Coffee - Swayed by the labeling I really wanted to like this "pinon coffee" made from roasted pinon nuts (from a soft pine tree), and just didn't. I'm not a fan of pine nuts either. In fact I found it was undrinkable in a french press. Ugh... I'll stick to traditional coffee, thanks.
Outland Java Company Santa Cruz/Half Moon Bay, CAOrganic French Roast - this coffee was Fair Trade and Certified Organic. 100% Arabica. Good but I didn't like the "scorch". I might try another blend if I crossed paths with it.
LA Burdick Whole Bean Dark Roast Coffee
This Boston/Cambridge Cafe/Chocolatier has a great reputation for both chocolate and coffee. The blend is truly Darker than I like but heavy on the chocolate notes which is seductive. I wouldn't seek it out but I'd happily drink it again.
Sunshine Coffee Roasters Organic French - A local coffee roaster in Forestville, CA. I've had this coffee at events and never been that impressed, but on home ground it's really quite good and I would buy it again. Also Fair Trade.
Ecco Caffè Ecco Caffe is a local roaster in Sonoma County (and this bag I purchased at the Santa Rosa Farmers' Market) so I will definitely try another blend from them. The beans were fresh and quality was high. Papua New Guinea Organic was a little on the dark side for me. Nicely roasted, not oily but just a hint of bitterness. The beans have a hint of charcuterie.
Raven's Brew Misty Fjords
The label caught my eye and I was surprised to encounter this WA-based coffee company on the East coast. Their vibrant and fun labels are worth looking for as the earthy mushroomy notes of this blend were stand-out. Roast date on the package. Highly recommended.
Dean & DeLucaMy current favorite is their After Dinner Viennese Blend from Venezuela. Runner up is the St. Helena Blend. A Great Standby. I've also bought the Water Decaffeinated - which is not notable but just fine! At the stores they stock a selection of coffees that are bagged to order. I've tried their Blue Mountain from Jamaica and their Kona. I loved the Kona and would not buy the Blue Mountain again. A while back I did a comparison of Dean & DeLuca's Kona and Blue Mountain coffee – both outrageous at $32/pound. I really preferred the Kona. To my palate it was richer and more chocolate-y. The Blue Mountain was higher in acid but not friendly. I like round rich mellow coffee. Kona gets my buck out of the two if you want to buy it at D&D you will have to go there they don’t sell it online. I would have guessed that other Kona coffees should be on par but cheaper ones I've tried have been failures. Dean & DeLuca's Sumatra Mandheling Not just another great blend from Dean & DeLuca, this one is stand-out with fruity and chocolately notes, good acidity and almost a sweetness. Recommended.
Bodega Coffee Co - Premium Blend Continental Roast
Liked this one. Roast was not too dark and had good acids but lots of body. I was not expecting to like this one as much as I did!
Flying Goat Coffee - Mexico
Already a fan of Flying Goat's Espresso Bar I ventured to purchase a bag of beans. Amazing stuff. Their roastery is in Healdsburg, CA. They offer many organic and fair trade options. Highly recommended!
Nectar of Life - Happy Place
Another sleeper - I ordered this WA-based coffee on a whim from igourmet.com. It exceeded my expectations and I would happily order it again. Happy Place is both USDA Organic (and Idaho Organic) and Fair Trade.
I was really surprised to find this Marin County company up to the challenge. Fair Trade Blend is a solid roast with good body and acidity and flavor. I would buy again. They let you "build your own blend" on their website which looks like lots of fun! They offer a number of organic options.
A great suprise in Sonoma - they are located across the street from the Sonoma Mission Inn. I have not yet visited their espresso bar. A great blend and a well roasted coffee (they roast on-site). Highly Recommended.
Thomas Hammer
Spokane, WA
Fireball Blend
Wow. I really liked this one. This Spokane based roaster has really got it down. They offer Organic and Fair Trade choices. I would seek it out. Really good!
Coupa Cafe Pala Alto, CA
Organic Venezuelan Single Estate - 100% Arabica
This Palo Alto Cafe's coffee has been a pleasant surprise. Not too dark with good flavor - almost fruity with a walnuty nose and hints of almond paste. I'm really liking it. Worth a try!
Calistoga Roastery
Calistoga, CA
Clive's Wake-up Call
I chose the roast I thought would be the right one - not too dark? All the other offerings in the store I purchased it at were darker roasts. This one appears to be a mix of dark and lighter roast - it's still too dark for me with not enough character - perhaps it's my own fault - it's fine to drink, but nothing exciting. Better than my first experience though - I disliked the coffee I tried at their St. Helena Coffee Shop, so much so I poured it out. I'll try once more and pin down a lighter roast this time.
